Thierry Henry has been saying his Red Bulls are going nowhere in the playoffs playing such awful defense. That’s not encouraging for coach Hans Backe.

Observers claim Backe could be on the hot seat if he doesn’t win the first silverware — the MLS Cup — in the 16-year history of the Red Bulls/MetroStars franchise.

Already, there has been a management shakeup with Jerome de Bontin replacing Erik Soler as general manager this week.

Still, the Red Bulls can clinch a playoff berth if they beat the Chicago Fire in Harrison today (3:30 p.m., NBC, WPAT (93.1 FM)) and either Columbus fails to win or Houston loses.

The Fire and Red Bulls are tied with 53 points behind East-leaders Kansas City, with the Red Bulls ranked second by scoring an East-best 54 goals.

But they also have allowed 44, worst among the teams like to reach the East’s playoffs.

“We have to defend better. That will be key if we want to win anything,” Henry said this week. “We have to attack better. We have to defend better. That’s the only way we can go forward.”

Henry was remarkably subdued after his one-goal, three assist performance in last Saturday’s 4-1 triumph over Toronto at Red Bull Arena. He lamented the team’s early defensive failings that could have cost it dearly.

Backe said yesterday that, in the playoffs, the Red Bulls would have a chance to win it all.

“It is so, so, even in this league,” he said. “Once you reach the playoffs, every team has a chance. We have a chance. We have the quality, the talent to go the whole way.

“We have a decent chance once we are in the playoffs.”

He may have to make the most of it.

* Backe said Luis Robles will again be the Red Bulls’ goalkeeper, and that impressive midfielder Lloyd Sam will rest a mild hamstring pull.